Maroon Bellflowers for Buzz Pollinators (Sonicators)
Macro, July Morning, Colorado. I was watering the garden and noticed these flowers were quickly vibrating back-and-forth. Then I watched a large bumble bee, covered in pollen, reverse from a flower. Funny to see, but it definitely was an effective way for the bumble bee to gather pollen!
"Buzz pollination or sonication is a technique used by some bees, such as solitary bees and bumblebees, to release pollen which is more or less firmly held by the anthers. The anthers of buzz-pollinated plant species are typically tubular, with an opening at only one end, and the pollen inside is smooth-grained and firmly attached."
"In order to release the pollen, solitary bees are able to grab onto the flower and move their flight muscles rapidly, causing the flower and anthers to vibrate, dislodging pollen. Pollination involving vibrations is called buzz pollination. Honeybees cannot perform buzz pollination. About 9% of the flowers of the world are primarily pollinated using buzz pollination" - From Wikipedia
Maroon Bellflowers for Buzz Pollinators (Sonicators)
Macro, July Morning, Colorado. I was watering the garden and noticed these flowers were quickly vibrating back-and-forth. Then I watched a large bumble bee, covered in pollen, reverse from a flower. Funny to see, but it definitely was an effective way for the bumble bee to gather pollen!
"Buzz pollination or sonication is a technique used by some bees, such as solitary bees and bumblebees, to release pollen which is more or less firmly held by the anthers. The anthers of buzz-pollinated plant species are typically tubular, with an opening at only one end, and the pollen inside is smooth-grained and firmly attached."
"In order to release the pollen, solitary bees are able to grab onto the flower and move their flight muscles rapidly, causing the flower and anthers to vibrate, dislodging pollen. Pollination involving vibrations is called buzz pollination. Honeybees cannot perform buzz pollination. About 9% of the flowers of the world are primarily pollinated using buzz pollination" - From Wikipedia